Two Ohio State faculty members were guests in the White House Monday to receive recognition for their research efforts.President Bill Clinton awarded Renee J. Miller, assistant professor of computer and information science, and Joel Johnson, assistant professor of electrical engineering, with a $500,000 presidential research award.Miller is being recognized for computer languages and her efforts to encourage enrollment of women and minorities in computer science. She has been an OSU faculty member since September 1994 and was nominated for the award by the National Science Foundation.Miller, a diversity coordinator in her department, is also being recognized for her outstanding effort to encourage careers in computer science.Mary Jane Harold, faculty member in computer and information science, said “We (Harold and Miller) started a project together last summer, with another grant we received, trying to put together programs that overlap in both of our areas of research.”Johnson was selected for his work to improve radar reception in ocean environments. He has been an OSU faculty member since January 1996 and was nominated for this award by the U.S. Department of Defense.Johnson’s research is aimed at developing methods for interpreting reflected radar waves. He wants to develop a way to distinguish between signals coming from a ship and from surface of the ocean.The Presidential Early Career Award, selected by Clinton, is the highest honor bestowed by the U. S. government on young scientists and engineers who are in the early stages of their independent research careers.Miller and Johnson were among 60 young scientists nationwide who received the award. Each will receive up to $500,000 throughout five years to further their research, hire graduate students assistants and help finance academic programs involved with their studies.Clinton established the award last year to recognize promising careers for young scientists.